While students soaked up summer break, Trussville City Schools stayed in motion, refining curriculum, onboarding new staff, analyzing data and rolling out a brand-new district website designed with families in mind.
“Our team has been in full sprint mode to give every child — and every employee — the strongest possible start this August,” said Rachel Poovey, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. “In short, though hallways may be quiet in the summer, the calendar is anything but.”
Superintendent Patrick Martin said the goal of their preparation is simple: “We want our students, faculty and staff to feel the energy of excellence the moment they walk in.”
The new school year begins with a staggered start across the district. New teachers report on Aug. 1, while all teachers and staff return Aug. 4 for work days and professional development. Students begin later in the week: elementary and middle school students with last names A-M, along with juniors and seniors, will attend on Aug. 7. Those with last names N-Z in elementary and middle school, along with freshmen and sophomores, will report on Aug. 8. All students will attend together beginning Monday, Aug. 12.
One of the most visible changes this year is the completely redesigned website, tcsk12.us, which now offers families easier access to PowerSchool, calendars, lunch menus and more. Parents with students across multiple campuses can subscribe to a streamlined calendar tool that consolidates all events.
“We’ve completely redesigned our website to make it the central hub for families. You can access everything from calendars and PowerSchool to lunch menus, athletics, and even school board updates — all in one place,” said April Chamberlain, director of technology. “If I was a family that had a child at Cahaba, the middle school and the high school, I can now see what’s going on at all those schools. I can print it out. I can even subscribe to it. That’s something you need — to be able to see at a glance what’s going on across all your children’s schools.”
Martin added, “I certainly appreciate April and the team spending countless hours going through and making sure everything is up to date. We’re excited to roll this out.”
New leadership will also greet students at every level. Four assistant principals have been named for the 2025-26 school year.
Kimberly Felts
Kimberly Felts, a longtime teacher at Paine Elementary, steps into the assistant principal role there.
“I am filled with joy and gratitude as I step into the role of AP,” she said. “This opportunity allows me to work with an amazing team to support students, encourage teachers, and help shape a school culture where everyone can thrive. I’m excited to build on Paine’s strong foundation by partnering with the school community to foster student growth and success together!”
At Cahaba Elementary, Stephen Mitchell returns to his hometown after six years as an assistant principal in Jefferson County.
“As someone who grew up here and graduated in 2006 as part of the first graduating class of Trussville City Schools, this community holds a very special place in my heart,” he said. “It’s truly an honor to be back home and working alongside such a dedicated and talented group of educators. I’m truly looking forward to reconnecting with this community, building strong relationships, and contributing to the continued success of our schools. I can’t wait to get started!”
Stephen Mitchell
At the middle school, Brianna Oliveira joins the administrative team after teaching at HTMS.
“I’m honored to join the HTMS administrative team and work alongside the incredible staff and students of HTMS,” she said. “Together, we will continue to uphold high expectations and create a supportive environment where every student can thrive.”
And at Hewitt-Trussville High School, Kathryn Rasberry, previously an AP teacher, has been promoted to assistant principal.
“In this new role, I look forward to walking alongside our incredible teachers and students as we continue to grow, innovate and propel HTHS into the future!” she said.
Aaron King, principal of Hewitt-Trussville High School, said summer is an especially busy season for high school administrators.
“During these two months, my team and I are fully engaged in hiring new teachers and support staff, building student schedules, updating calendars and professional learning plans, and ensuring every detail is in place,” he said. “Our faculty, staff, students and parents rightfully expect a seamless start to the school year, and through consistent, focused effort, that’s exactly what we will deliver.”
Brianna Oliveira
Instructional preparation was a major focus this summer, with teachers participating in workshops, curriculum updates and data analysis sessions. Elementary students had the opportunity to attend literacy and math camps aimed at strengthening foundational skills and building confidence ahead of the school year.
“The summer months are packed with purposeful work — all centered around the success of our students, the growth of our teachers, and the continued progress of our district,” said Kelly McGough, supervisor of elementary teaching and learning. “We’re constantly adjusting pacing, increasing rigor and providing support so that every student enters the year ready to thrive.”
Administrators also evaluated emerging challenges, including how to balance technology in classrooms. Inspired by “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt, district leaders reviewed tech usage policies with the goal of promoting academic growth while supporting student well-being. Conversations around artificial intelligence have continued as well, with plans for additional teacher training and responsible classroom integration.
Safety remains a top priority, with updated emergency procedures reviewed by faculty, staff and local responders. Police and EMT partners completed training inside school buildings over the summer. Compliance updates and preparations for this year’s state and Cognia monitoring checks are well underway, alongside new health and legal protocols responding to statewide student wellness and personal device legislation.
Kathryn Rasberry
As always, the summer was a time to celebrate staff achievements and ensure every role — from bus drivers to nurses to coaches — is in place and prepared for Day One. The board approved a full slate of new hires, and the district’s strong financial position continues to support academic excellence and innovation.
“When students, faculty and staff walk into our buildings in August,” Martin said, “it is our goal for them to physically see how much this community really does support them and the learning process.”
Who’s New?
- Kimberly Felts, Paine Elementary: Promoted from within, Felts previously served as a teacher at Paine.
- Stephen Mitchell, Cahaba Elementary: A Hewitt-Trussville graduate, Mitchell returns to Trussville after six years as an assistant principal in Jefferson County.
- Brianna Oliveira, Hewitt-Trussville Middle School: Oliveira moves into administration after serving as a teacher at HTMS.
- Kathryn Rasberry, Hewitt-Trussville High School: Formerly an AP teacher at HTHS, Rasberry now joins the school’s leadership team.
What’s New?
- Completely redesigned district website: The new tcsk12.us features a full overhaul in design and functionality, offering improved navigation, easier access to essential tools, and a streamlined calendar system for families with students at multiple campuses.
- Expanded student learning support: Summer literacy and math camps provided targeted instruction for rising K-3 students, helping close learning gaps and prevent summer slide.
- Instruction driven by data: Teachers analyzed test scores over the summer to adjust pacing guides, fine-tune interventions and align instruction with student needs from day one.
- Focus on AI and tech balance: Leaders are preparing teacher training on AI integration and reassessing classroom tech use through the lens of “The Anxious Generation” to support healthy, effective learning environments.
- Safety and compliance updates: All staff received updated emergency protocols, and policies have been aligned with new state laws around student health and personal devices.
